Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless LAN, and/or Bluetooth radios

ABSTRACT

Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless LAN, and/or Bluetooth radios. Within a communication device that includes multi-protocol communication capability, the various radio modules included within such a communication device operate cooperatively such that collisions are avoided between those various radios. When a first of the radio modules operates as governed by a relatively rigid frame structure, a second of the radio modules capitalizes upon that predetermined nature (of the relatively rigid frame structure) to support communication during times in which that first radio module has a lower level of activity (e.g., turned off completely, within a power savings mode, in a sleep mode, etc.). The radio module operation is performed within a time-orthogonal manner, such that multiple radio modules are not attempting to transmit or receive simultaneously. Moreover, CTS2SELF operation can be employed alone or in conjunction with power savings operation of co-located radios within a communication device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS/PATENT APPLICATIONS ContinuationPriority Claim, 35 U.S.C. §120

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility patentapplication which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent applicationfor all purposes:

1. U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/048,444, entitled“Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless LAN,and/or Bluetooth radios,” (Attorney Docket No. BP7109), filed Mar. 14,2008, pending, and scheduled to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,072,913 onDec. 6, 2011 (as indicated in an ISSUE NOTIFICATION mailed on Nov. 16,2011), which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to thefollowing U.S. Provisional Patent Application which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of thepresent U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes:

-   -   a. U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/025,794, entitled        “Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless        LAN, and/or Bluetooth radios,” (Attorney Docket No. BP7109),        filed Feb. 3, 2008, now expired.

Incorporation by Reference

The following U.S. Utility Patent Applications are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S.Utility patent application for all purposes:

1. U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/545,743, entitled“Collision avoidance in multiple protocol communication networks using ashared communication medium,” (Attorney Docket No. BP4642I1), filed Oct.10, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,411 issued on Jun. 7, 2011.

2. U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/651,784, entitled“Co-location interference avoidance in multiple protocol communicationnetworks,” (Attorney Docket No. BP5814), filed Jan. 10, 2007, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,813,295 issued on Oct. 12, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to communication systems; and, moreparticularly, it relates to communication devices implemented withinsuch communication systems that support communication in accordance withmore than one standard, protocol, and/or other predetermined means ofperforming communication.

2. Description of Related Art

Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire linedcommunications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices.Such communication systems range from national and/or internationalcellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-homewireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, andhence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards.For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordancewith one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11,Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access(CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS),multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), radio frequencyidentification (RFID), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE),General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and/or variations thereof.

Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio,personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptopcomputer, home entertainment equipment, RFID reader, RFID tag, etcetera, communicates directly or indirectly with other wirelesscommunication devices. For direct communications (also known aspoint-to-point communications), the participating wireless communicationdevices tune their receivers and transmitters to the same channel orchannels (e.g., one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers ofthe wireless communication system or a particular RF frequency for somesystems) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wirelesscommunications, each wireless communication device communicates directlywith an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or anassociated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wirelessnetwork) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connectionbetween the wireless communication devices, the associated base stationsand/or associated access points communicate with each other directly,via a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, viathe Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

For each wireless communication device to participate in wirelesscommunications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiverand transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g.,a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communicationnetworks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the receiver is coupled to anantenna and includes a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediatefrequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The lownoise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna andamplifies then. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix theamplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert theamplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate frequency (IF)signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband signals or the IFsignals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to produce filteredsignals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from the filteredsignals in accordance with the particular wireless communicationstandard.

As is also known, the transmitter includes a data modulation stage, oneor more intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier. The datamodulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordancewith a particular wireless communication standard. The one or moreintermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or morelocal oscillations to produce RF signals. The power amplifier amplifiesthe RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.

While transmitters generally include a data modulation stage, one ormore IF stages, and a power amplifier, the particular implementation ofthese elements is dependent upon the data modulation scheme of thestandard being supported by the transceiver. For example, if thebaseband modulation scheme is Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK), thedata modulation stage functions to convert digital words into quadraturemodulation symbols, which have a constant amplitude and varying phases.The IF stage includes a phase locked loop (PLL) that generates anoscillation at a desired RF frequency, which is modulated based on thevarying phases produced by the data modulation stage. The phasemodulated RF signal is then amplified by the power amplifier inaccordance with a transmit power level setting to produce a phasemodulated RF signal.

As another example, if the data modulation scheme is 8-PSK (phase shiftkeying), the data modulation stage functions to convert digital wordsinto symbols having varying amplitudes and varying phases. The IF stageincludes a phase locked loop (PLL) that generates an oscillation at adesired RF frequency, which is modulated based on the varying phasesproduced by the data modulation stage. The phase modulated RF signal isthen amplified by the power amplifier in accordance with the varyingamplitudes to produce a phase and amplitude modulated RF signal.

As yet another example, if the data modulation scheme is x-QAM (16, 64,128, 256 quadrature amplitude modulation), the data modulation stagefunctions to convert digital words into Cartesian coordinate symbols(e.g., having an in-phase signal component and a quadrature signalcomponent). The IF stage includes mixers that mix the in-phase signalcomponent with an in-phase local oscillation and mix the quadraturesignal component with a quadrature local oscillation to produce twomixed signals. The mixed signals are summed together and filtered toproduce an RF signal that is subsequently amplified by a poweramplifier.

As the desire for wireless communication devices to support multiplestandards continues, recent trends include the desire to integrate morefunctions on to a single chip. However, such desires have goneunrealized when it comes to implementing baseband and RF on the samechip for multiple wireless communication standards. In addition, manycomponents and/or modules within the components employed within suchcommunication devices and wireless communication devices include manyoff-chip elements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theSeveral Views of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of theInvention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system including multiple radio modules.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system including multiple radio modules.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of collective powersaving mode operation among multiple radio modules such as isimplemented within a wireless communication device.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate embodiments of collective power saving modeoperation among multiple radio modules as a function a frame structureof one of the radio modules.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a method for operating co-locatedradio modules within a communication device.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of CTS2SELF operation among multipleradio modules.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of CTS2SELF operationamong multiple radio modules.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a method for operatingco-located radio modules within a communication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A means is presented herein by which a communication device havingcapability to communicate via multiple protocols, standards, and/orpredetermined means can be effectuated without interfering with oneanother. In some embodiments, this provides for collaborativecoexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access) radio, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) radio thatis compatible with at least one IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineer) 802.11 protocol, and/or a Bluetooth radios.

Generally speaking, this novel approach can be applied to any of a widevariety of communication devices that include multiple radio modules toeffectuate communication via a wide variety of communication deviceswithin one or more different communication systems.

For example, the mobile WiMAX protocol operates at 2.5 GHz, andBluetooth or wireless LAN operate at 2.4 GHz. As such, it is problematicto have simultaneous operation of a radio that operates in accordancewith the mobile WiMAX protocol that operates at 2.5 GHz and a radio thatoperates in accordance with the Bluetooth or Wireless LAN protocol thatoperates at 2.4 GHz. In a communication device having co-located radios(e.g., one being a WiMAX radio and one being a Bluetooth or Wireless LANradio), the simultaneous operation of those radios can suffersignificant degradation including significant interference between them.This problem is even more exacerbated in a communication device havingco-located radios implemented in a small form-factor platform withclosely located antennae (e.g., in a multiple antennae embodiment). Theover the air coupling between the multiple antennae is strong due to thesmall path loss between the antennae compared to if the multipleantennae were spaced relatively further from one another.

Therefore, a novel means is presented herein in which time-domainmultiplexing techniques are employed. For example, based on using powersavings and/or a sleep mode of operation of a radio module implementedto support mobile WiMAX within a communication device, another of theradio modules can preemptively enter into its corresponding powersavings mode when the WiMAX radio module is active, and re-activate whenthe WiMAX radio module enters back into its corresponding power savingsmode.

It is noted that the appropriate operation of each of these separateradio modules can be performed in accordance with a frame structure of aprotocol employed by one of the radio modules. Alternatively, byobserving the over the air signaling of one of the radio modules, otherof the radio modules can react to that signaling and ensure that itoperates in such a way that no collisions occur between the variouscommunication links.

Using the means of ensuring collaborative coexistence of co-locatedradio modules within a communication device as provided herein,simultaneous operation of communications in accordance with thesemultiple protocols, standards, recommended practices, etc. can beperformed within a single communication device. It is noted that anytype of communication device that includes such multi-protocolcommunication capability can benefit from the various aspects presentedherein. Some examples of communication devices include a mobile wirelesscommunication device, a PC (personal computer), a laptop computer,and/or, generally speaking, any communication device that includes suchmulti-protocol communication capability and closely located carrierfrequencies.

Generally speaking, when a communication device includes multiple,co-located radio modules, transmissions from one of the radio modulescan saturate the receivers of other of the radio modules within thatcommunication device. Collaborative coexistence is achieved wherebymedium access control (MAC)-layer techniques ensure that transmit andreceive operations within the radio modules is performed in atime-orthogonal manner. In other words, no more than one of the radiomodules is active at any given time. Scheduling is performed on aframe-by-frame basis such that periods of inactivity of one of the radiomodules allows activity by another of the radio modules.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 includesa plurality of base stations and/or access points 112, 116, a pluralityof wireless communication devices 118-132 and a network hardwarecomponent 134. Note that the network hardware 134, which may be arouter, switch, bridge, modem, system controller, et cetera, provides awide area network connection 142 for the communication system 100.Further note that the wireless communication devices 118-132 may belaptop host computers 118 and 126, personal digital assistant hosts 120and 130, personal computer hosts 124 and 132 and/or cellular telephonehosts 122 and 128.

Wireless communication devices 122, 123, and 124 are located within anindependent basic service set (IBSS) area and communicate directly(i.e., point to point). In this configuration, these devices 122, 123,and 124 may only communicate with each other. To communicate with otherwireless communication devices within the system 100 or to communicateoutside of the system 100, the devices 122, 123, and/or 124 need toaffiliate with one of the base stations or access points 112 or 116.

The base stations or access points 112, 116 are located within basicservice set (BSS) areas 111 and 113, respectively, and are operablycoupled to the network hardware 134 via local area network connections136, 138. Such a connection provides the base station or access point112-116 with connectivity to other devices within the system 100 andprovides connectivity to other networks via the WAN connection 142. Tocommunicate with the wireless communication devices within its BSS 111or 113, each of the base stations or access points 112-116 has anassociated antenna or antenna array. For instance, base station oraccess point 112 wirelessly communicates with wireless communicationdevices 118 and 120 while base station or access point 116 wirelesslycommunicates with wireless communication devices 126-132. Typically, thewireless communication devices register with a particular base stationor access point 112, 116 to receive services from the communicationsystem 100.

Typically, base stations are used for cellular telephone systems (e.g.,advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system formobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), localmulti-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-pointdistribution systems (MMDS), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution(EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), high-speed downlink packetaccess (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA and/or variationsthereof) and like-type systems, while access points are used for in-homeor in-building wireless networks (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee,any other type of radio frequency based network protocol and/orvariations thereof). Regardless of the particular type of communicationsystem, each wireless communication device includes a built-in radioand/or is coupled to a radio.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication device 200 that includes the host device 118-132 and anassociated radio 260. For cellular telephone hosts, the radio 260 is abuilt-in component. For personal digital assistants hosts, laptop hosts,and/or personal computer hosts, the radio 260 may be built-in or anexternally coupled component.

As illustrated, the host device 118-132 includes a processing module250, memory 252, a radio interface 254, an input interface 258, and anoutput interface 256. The processing module 250 and memory 252 executethe corresponding instructions that are typically done by the hostdevice. For example, for a cellular telephone host device, theprocessing module 250 performs the corresponding communication functionsin accordance with a particular cellular telephone standard.

The radio interface 254 allows data to be received from and sent to theradio 260. For data received from the radio 260 (e.g., inbound data),the radio interface 254 provides the data to the processing module 250for further processing and/or routing to the output interface 256. Theoutput interface 256 provides connectivity to an output display devicesuch as a display, monitor, speakers, et cetera, such that the receiveddata may be displayed. The radio interface 254 also provides data fromthe processing module 250 to the radio 260. The processing module 250may receive the outbound data from an input device such as a keyboard,keypad, microphone, et cetera, via the input interface 258 or generatethe data itself. For data received via the input interface 258, theprocessing module 250 may perform a corresponding host function on thedata and/or route it to the radio 260 via the radio interface 254.

Radio 260 includes a host interface 262, digital receiver processingmodule 264, an analog-to-digital converter 266, a high pass and low passfilter module 268, an IF mixing down conversion stage 270, a receiverfilter 271, a low noise amplifier 272, a transmitter/receiver switch273, a local oscillation module 274, memory 275, a digital transmitterprocessing module 276, a digital-to-analog converter 278, afiltering/gain module 280, an IF mixing up conversion stage 282, a poweramplifier 284, a transmitter filter module 285, a channel bandwidthadjust module 287, and an antenna 286. The antenna 286 may be a singleantenna that is shared by the transmit and receive paths as regulated bythe Tx/Rx switch 273, or may include separate antennas for the transmitpath and receive path. The antenna implementation will depend on theparticular standard to which the wireless communication device 200 iscompliant.

The digital receiver processing module 264 and the digital transmitterprocessing module 276, in combination with operational instructionsstored in memory 275, execute digital receiver functions and digitaltransmitter functions, respectively. The digital receiver functionsinclude, but are not limited to, digital intermediate frequency tobaseband conversion, demodulation, constellation demapping, decoding,and/or descrambling. The digital transmitter functions include, but arenot limited to, scrambling, encoding, constellation mapping, modulation,and/or digital baseband to IF conversion. The digital receiver andtransmitter processing modules 264 and 276 may be implemented using ashared processing device, individual processing devices, or a pluralityof processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor,micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, centralprocessing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logicdevice, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/ordigital) based on operational instructions. The memory 275 may be asingle memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memorydevice may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory,non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/orany device that stores digital information. Note that when theprocessing module 264 and/or 276 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the radio 260 receives outbound data 294 from the hostdevice via the host interface 262. The host interface 262 routes theoutbound data 294 to the digital transmitter processing module 276,which processes the outbound data 294 in accordance with a particularwireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee,WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), any other typeof radio frequency based network protocol and/or variations thereof etcetera) to produce outbound baseband signals 296. The outbound basebandsignals 296 will be digital base-band signals (e.g., have a zero IF) ordigital low IF signals, where the low IF typically will be in thefrequency range of one hundred kHz (kilo-Hertz) to a few MHz(Mega-Hertz).

The digital-to-analog converter 278 converts the outbound basebandsignals 296 from the digital domain to the analog domain. Thefiltering/gain module 280 filters and/or adjusts the gain of the analogsignals prior to providing it to the IF mixing stage 282. The IF mixingstage 282 converts the analog baseband or low IF signals into RF signalsbased on a transmitter local oscillation 283 provided by localoscillation module 274. The power amplifier 284 amplifies the RF signalsto produce outbound RF signals 298, which are filtered by thetransmitter filter module 285. The antenna 286 transmits the outbound RFsignals 298 to a targeted device such as a base station, an access pointand/or another wireless communication device 200.

The radio 260 also receives inbound RF signals 288 via the antenna 286,which were transmitted by a base station, an access point, or anotherwireless communication device. The antenna 286 provides the inbound RFsignals 288 to the receiver filter module 271 via the Tx/Rx switch 273,where the Rx filter 271 bandpass filters the inbound RF signals 288. TheRx filter 271 provides the filtered RF signals to low noise amplifier272, which amplifies the signals 288 to produce an amplified inbound RFsignals. The low noise amplifier 272 provides the amplified inbound RFsignals to the IF mixing module 270, which directly converts theamplified inbound RF signals into an inbound low IF signals or basebandsignals based on a receiver local oscillation 281 provided by localoscillation module 274. The down conversion module 270 provides theinbound low IF signals or baseband signals to the filtering/gain module268. The high pass and low pass filter module 268 filters, based onsettings provided by the channel bandwidth adjust module 287, theinbound low IF signals or the inbound baseband signals to producefiltered inbound signals.

The analog-to-digital converter 266 converts the filtered inboundsignals from the analog domain to the digital domain to produce inboundbaseband signals 290, where the inbound baseband signals 290 will bedigital base-band signals or digital low IF signals, where the low IFtypically will be in the frequency range of one hundred kHz to a fewMHz. The digital receiver processing module 264, based on settingsprovided by the channel bandwidth adjust module 287, decodes,descrambles, demaps, and/or demodulates the inbound baseband signals 290to recapture inbound data 292 in accordance with the particular wirelesscommunication standard being implemented by radio 260. The hostinterface 262 provides the recaptured inbound data 292 to the hostdevice 118-132 via the radio interface 254.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the wirelesscommunication device 200 of FIG. 2 may be implemented using one or moreintegrated circuits. For example, the host device may be implemented onone integrated circuit, the digital receiver processing module 264, thedigital transmitter processing module 276 and memory 275 may beimplemented on a second integrated circuit, and the remaining componentsof the radio 260, less the antenna 286, may be implemented on a thirdintegrated circuit. As an alternate example, the radio 260 may beimplemented on a single integrated circuit. As yet another example, theprocessing module 250 of the host device and the digital receiver andtransmitter processing modules 264 and 276 may be a common processingdevice implemented on a single integrated circuit. Further, the memory252 and memory 275 may be implemented on a single integrated circuitand/or on the same integrated circuit as the common processing modulesof processing module 250 and the digital receiver and transmitterprocessing module 264 and 276.

Any of the various embodiments of communication device that may beimplemented within various communication systems can incorporatefunctionality to perform communication via more than one standard,protocol, or other predetermined means of communication. For example, asingle communication device, designed in accordance with certain aspectsof the invention, can include functionality to perform communication inaccordance with a first protocol, a second protocol, and/or a thirdprotocol, and so on. These various protocols may be WiMAX (WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access) protocol, a protocol thatcomplies with a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) (e.g., one of theIEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer) 802.11 protocolssuch as 802.11a, 802.11b, and/or 802.11g), a Bluetooth protocol, or anyother predetermined means by which wireless communication may beeffectuated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system 300 including multiple radio modules. The wirelesscommunication system 300 includes a wireless communication device 310 a.In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in this diagram), the wirelesscommunication device 310 a includes an integrated circuit 310 thatincludes multiple radio modules (e.g., shown as first radio module 320a, second radio module 320 b, third radio module 320 c, and so on untiln-th radio module 320 n). Alternatively, in other embodiments, each ofthe multiple radio modules 320 a-320 n may be implemented on a separateintegrated circuit.

The wireless communication device 310 a can communicate via a wirelesscommunication channel 399 to a communication network and/or one or moreother communication devices.

For example, the first radio module 320 a can be provisioned toeffectuate communication with a first communication device 370 a. Thesecond radio module 320 b can be provisioned to effectuate communicationwith a second communication device 370 b, the third radio module 320 ccan be provisioned to effectuate communication with a thirdcommunication device 370 c, and so on until n-th radio module 320 c canbe provisioned to effectuate communication with an n-th communicationdevice 370 n. Generally speaking, the wireless communication device 310a includes a corresponding radio module to effectuate communication witheach of a variety of communication systems in accordance with a varietyof communication standards, protocols, etc.

The wireless communication device 310 a also includes a sharedcommunication medium or media 340 that is/are employed by the multipleradio modules 320 a-320 n to effectuate wireless communication via theone or more communication devices. It is also noted that the wirelesscommunication device 310 a may also include wireline communicationcapability (e.g., via modem connectivity, Ethernet connectivity,fiber-optic connectivity, or other wired functionality) to allowwired/hard-connected communication capability as well without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the wirelesscommunication device 310 a can include one or more hard-wiredconnections/jacks allowing it also to interface with one or more wirednetworks.

The wireless communication device 310 a can also include a packettraffic arbiter 329 implemented to arbitrate between the multiple radiomodules 320 a-320 n to authorize/deny access to the shared communicationmedium or media 340.

One of more of the multiple radio modules 320 a-320 n operates inaccordance with a relatively rigid and strict frame structure whichgoverns when that radio module is active and when it is inactive. One ofmore of the multiple radio modules 320 a-320 n also includes powersavings functionality, in which, the radio module enters into and exitsfrom the power savings mode based on the frame structure of the protocol(e.g., or standard, recommended practice, and/or predetermined means ofoperating) that governs that particular radio module.

Based on that radio module's entering into and exiting from the powersavings mode, another of the radio modules conversely enters into andexits from its power savings mode to ensure that only one of the radiomodules is active at a given time.

Because of space constraints, cost and design constraints, efforts toreduce form factor, etc. within the wireless communication device 310 a,there may not be sufficient radio frequency (RF) isolation between thevarious multiple radio modules 320 a-320 n and the operation of only oneof the multiple radio modules 320 a-320 n in an active mode of operationwhile other of the multiple radio modules 320 a-320 n are in a powersavings (e.g., or power reduced, sleep, inactive, etc.) mode ofoperation. Certain of the multiple radio modules 320 a-320 n operate inaccordance with a relatively rigid and strict frame structure, and thoseradio modules 320 a-320 n that operate in accordance with a moreflexible protocol (e.g., asynchronous, etc.) are implemented to operatereactively/in response to the relatively rigid and strict framestructure of the other of the radio modules 320 a-320 n.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system 400 including multiple radio modules. The wirelesscommunication system 400 includes a wireless communication device 410 a.In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in this diagram), the wirelesscommunication device 410 a includes an integrated circuit 410 thatincludes multiple radio modules (e.g., shown as a WiMAX (WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access) radio module 420 a that iscompatible with a WiMAX protocol, a WiFi/WLAN (Wireless Local AreaNetwork) radio module 420 b that is compatible with at least one IEEE(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer) 802.11 protocol, anda Bluetooth radio module 420 c that is compatible with a Bluetoothprotocol. It is noted that each of the multiple radio modules 420 a-420c may alternatively be implemented on a separate integrated circuit.

The wireless communication device 410 a can communicate via a wirelesscommunication channel 399 to a communication network and/or one or moreother communication devices.

The WiMAX radio module 420 a can be provisioned to effectuatecommunication with a WiMAX base station (BS) 470 a. The WiFi/WLAN radiomodule 420 b can be provisioned to effectuate communication with aWiFi/WLAN access point (AP) 470 b or to another communication devicethat includes a corresponding WiFi/WLAN radio module. The Bluetoothradio module 420 c can be provisioned to effectuate communication with aBluetooth communication device 470 c. Sometimes, Bluetoothcommunications are performed in a master/slave configuration in whichonly two devices communication with one another (e.g., as within awireless headset configuration that includes an ear-piece in a user'sear that communicates with the wireless communication device 410 a inanother location typically relatively near to the user).

Generally speaking, the wireless communication device 410 a includes acorresponding radio module to effectuate communication with each of avariety of communication systems in accordance with a variety ofcommunication standards, protocols, etc.

The wireless communication device 410 a also includes one or morecommunication medium or media that is/are employed by the multiple radiomodules 420 a-420 c to effectuate wireless communication via the one ormore communication devices. In this embodiment, each of the WiMAX radiomodule 420 a, WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b and Bluetooth radio module420 c employs an antenna switch matrix 440. For example, a shared one ormore antennae can be employed by the WiMAX radio module 420 a, WiFi/WLANradio module 420 b and Bluetooth radio module 420 c. The antenna switchmatrix 440 allows for any desired one antenna or any desired combinationof antennae to be dynamically connected by switches to any one radiomodule or any combination of the multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c.

Generally speaking, it is noted that the multiple antennae that may beimplemented within the wireless communication device 410 a may be sharedbetween the multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c given theirnon-simultaneous operation.

Moreover, it is noted that, while WiMAX generally may be viewed asadhering to a relatively rigid frame structure, the WiMAX radio module420 a can alternatively operate outside of (e.g., not in accordancewith) that relatively rigid frame structure. Considering a more detailedperspective, typical WiMAX operation is generally performed via awireless connection that abiding to the relatively rigid WiMAX framestructure set by the WiMAX BS 470 a. The WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 band/or the Bluetooth radio module 420 c of the wireless communicationdevice 410 a then operate around WiMAX occupancy of the communicationmedium and generally operate in the intervals when the WiMAX radiomodule 420 a is idle.

It is noted that the relatively rigid frame structure is only applicablefor the particular WiMAX BS 470 a to which the wireless communicationdevice 410 a is connected to, but the co-located WiMAX radio module 420a within the wireless communication device 410 a needs also to scan forframes being transmitted from neighboring WiMAX Base Stations in theWiMAX cellular network in order to determine when a handoff isappropriate. This scanning takes place in the WiMAX sleep intervals(e.g., from the viewpoint of the WiMAX BS 470 a that the co-locatedWiMAX radio module 420 a within the wireless communication device 410 ais connected to, the collocated WiMAX radio module 420 a is sleeping butactually once in a while instead of sleeping, it performs otheractivities like radio calibration and scanning for energy from neighborcells).

It is then also noted that if the WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b and/orthe Bluetooth radio module 420 c of the wireless communication device410 a operates in this sleep interval of the WiMAX radio module 420 a,then the packet traffic arbiter 429 may also be employed to arbitratefor this situation as well.

As mentioned with other embodiments, it is also noted that the wirelesscommunication device 410 a may also include wireline communicationcapability (e.g., via modem connectivity, Ethernet connectivity,fiber-optic connectivity, or other wired functionality) to allowwired/hard-connected communication capability as well without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the wirelesscommunication device 410 a can include one or more hard-wiredconnections/jacks allowing it also to interface with one or more wirednetworks.

The wireless communication device 410 a can also include a packettraffic arbiter 429 implemented to arbitrate between the multiple radiomodules 420 a-420 c to authorize/deny access to the shared communicationmedium 440 a and the Bluetooth communication medium 440 b.

One of more of the multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c operates inaccordance with a relatively rigid and strict frame structure whichgoverns when that radio module is active and when it is inactive. Forexample, WiMAX and Bluetooth protocols generally operate in accordancewith more rigid, strict frame structures than WiFi/WLAN. Theasynchronous, flexible nature of WiFi/WLAN allows its ability to reactto and respond to the active and inactive periods of the WiMAX and/orBluetooth protocols.

One of more of the multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c also includespower savings functionality, in which, the radio module enters into andexits from the power savings mode based on the frame structure of theprotocol (e.g., or standard, recommended practice, and/or predeterminedmeans of operating) that governs that particular radio module. Forexample, the WiMAX radio module 420 a generally operates in accordancewith a relatively rigid framing structure, and the WiFi/WLAN radiomodule 420 b can operate reactively to ensure it is active and operatingwhen the WiMAX radio module 420 a is inactive.

Based on a first radio module's entering into and exiting from the powersavings mode, a second radio module conversely enters into and exitsfrom its power savings mode to ensure that only one of the radio modulesis active at a given time.

Again, because of space constraints, cost and design constraints,efforts to reduce form factor, etc. within the wireless communicationdevice 410 a, there may not be sufficient radio frequency (RF) isolationbetween the various multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c and the operationof only one of the multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c in an active modeof operation while other of the multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c arein a power savings (e.g., or power reduced, sleep, inactive, etc.) modeof operation. Certain of the multiple radio modules 420 a-420 c (e.g.,the WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b and the Bluetooth radio module 420 c)operate in accordance with a relatively rigid and strict framestructure, and the WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b operates in accordancewith a more flexible protocol (e.g., asynchronous, etc.) is implementedto operate reactively/in response to the relatively rigid and strictframe structure of the other of the WiMAX radio module 420 a and theBluetooth radio module 420 c.

It is the WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b that performs the preemptionoperation to ensure that it does not operate concurrently as the WiMAXradio module 420 a and the Bluetooth radio module 420 c. From someperspectives, the WiMAX radio module 420 a and the Bluetooth radiomodule 420 c do not operate with care regarding to whether or not theWiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b is active or not, since they operate morein accordance with their respective rigid framing structures. Certainly,each of the WiMAX radio module 420 a and the Bluetooth radio module 420c need nevertheless to operate cooperatively to ensure that each onedoes not interfere with the other (e.g., based on their respective rigidframing structures, only one of them is active at a time).

Because of this preemptive and reactive operational nature of theWiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b, there may be instances where the WiFi/WLANradio module 420 b is incapable to transmit or receive information to orfrom the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b or to another communication device thatincludes a corresponding WiFi/WLAN radio module. In such situations,when the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b has data or information intended for thewireless communication device 410 a, then the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b buffersup or queues up that data or information. Then, when communicationbetween the wireless communication device 410 a and the WiFi/WLAN AP 470b is authorized again (e.g., the WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b of thewireless communication device 410 a can operate), then a trigger frameis then sent from the wireless communication device 410 a to theWiFi/WLAN AP 470 b, and based upon receipt of that trigger frame, thenthe WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b sends the queued/buffered data/information 471 bto the wireless communication device 410 a.

It is noted that the wireless communication device 410 a can send atrigger frame (e.g., via the WiFi/WLAN radio module 420 b) either topoll for all data frames buffered in the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b or to pollindividually (e.g., using one or more PS-POLL frames) for a single frame(or a subset of the entirety of the frames) to be sent from theWiFi/WLAN AP 470 b to the wireless communication device 410 a.

For example, when all of the data frames buffered in the WiFi/WLAN AP470 b are requested compared to requesting a single frame (or a subsetof the entirety of the frames), there is a higher risk that the polledtrain of packets being transmitted by the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b willcollide with a WiMAX transaction. It is noted that the trigger framethat polls for all data frames buffered in the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b ismore efficient in communication medium authorization that the triggerframe that polls for one (or a subset) of all of the data frames.

Depending on the WiMAX sleep interval, it is noted that the wirelesscommunication device 410 a could be implemented to pick between one orthese two operational modes (e.g., either using a trigger frame to pollfor all data frames buffered in the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b or to pollindividually). As an example, if the WiMAX sleep interval issufficiently longer or above a particular threshold (e.g., 15 ms in oneembodiment), then the trigger frame that poll for all data framesbuffered in the WiFi/WLAN AP 470 b would be used. Alternatively, if theWiMAX sleep interval is sufficiently shorter or below a particularthreshold (e.g., 5 ms in one embodiment), then the trigger frame thatpolls for only one (or a subset) of the data frames buffered in theWiFi/WLAN AP 470 b would be used (e.g., using a PS-POLL frame).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of collective powersaving mode operation 500 among multiple radio modules such as isimplemented within a wireless communication device.

In each of these instantiations, multiple radio modules (e.g., shown asa first radio module 520 a, second radio module 520 b, third radiomodule 520 c, and so on until an n-th radio module 520 n are implementedwithin a communication device. Only one of the radio modules 520 a-520 nis active at any given time, and the other of the radio modules 520a-520 n are in a power savings mode (e.g., in sleep mode, turned offcompletely, inactive, and/or operating using a reduced operational setin which only certain of the modules, blocks, etc. therein areoperational).

During a first time period, only the first radio module 520 a is active(as shown by reference numeral 501 a), and the other radio modules(e.g., second radio module 520 b, third radio module 520 c, and so onuntil an n-th radio module 520 n) operate in accordance with a powersavings mode 502 a in which these radio modules are inactive whencompared to the operation of the first radio module 520 a.

During a second time period, only the second radio module 520 b isactive (as shown by reference numeral 501 b), and the other radiomodules (e.g., first radio module 520 a, third radio module 520 c, andso on until an n-th radio module 520 n) operate in accordance with apower savings mode 502 b in which these radio modules are inactive whencompared to the operation of the second radio module 520 b.

During a third time period, only the n-th radio module 520 n is active(as shown by reference numeral 501 c), and the other radio modules(e.g., first radio module 520 a, second radio module 520 b, and thirdradio module 520 c) operate in accordance with a power savings mode 502c in which these radio modules are inactive when compared to theoperation of the n-th radio module 520 n.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate embodiments of collective power saving modeoperation among multiple radio modules as a function a frame structureof one of the radio modules.

Referring to embodiment 600 of FIG. 6, the frame structure of a firstprotocol 601 includes a plurality of frames (e.g., frames 601 a, 601 b,601 c, 601 d, and 601 e) and periods of time between frames in whichthere is no activity at all in accordance with that first protocol(e.g., between frames 601 c and 601 d and after frame 601 e).

This embodiment employs three separate radio modules (e.g., first radiomodule 620 a, second radio module 620 b, and third radio module 620 c),though it is noted that as few as two radio modules or more than threeradio modules can alternatively be employed without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

The first radio module 620 a operates by entering and exiting from apower savings mode based on the frame structure of the first protocol601. The first radio module 620 a is active during the duration of eachof the frames 601 a, 601 b, 601 c, 601 d, and 601 e and is inactiveduring the time periods between frames 601 c and 601 d and after frame601 e.

The second radio module 620 b is active only during one of the twoavailable time periods in which the first radio module 620 a isinactive. For example, the second radio module 620 b is active duringthe time period between frames 601 c and 601 d and is inactiveotherwise.

Somewhat similarly, the third radio module 620 c is active only duringone of the two available time periods in which the first radio module620 a is inactive. For example, the third radio module 620 b is activeduring the time period after frame 601 e and is inactive otherwise.

As can be seen, only one of the radio modules is active at any giventime period, in that, the first radio module 620 a operates activelywhen the frame structure of the first protocol 601 authorizes/governscommunication and is inactive during lulls of the frame structure of thefirst protocol 601.

The second radio module 620 b and the third radio module 620 c operateactively during those time periods, in this instance as governed by theframe structure of the first protocol 601, in which the first radiomodule 620 a is inactive.

Referring to embodiment 700 of FIG. 7, this embodiment 700 includesmultiple patterns during different time periods. For example, a framestructure of a first protocol 701 operates in accordance with a firstpattern during a first time period, as indicated by reference numeral701 a, and operates in accordance with a second pattern during a secondtime period, as indicated by reference numeral 701 b. It is noted thateven more patterns can be employed during other time periods, or even asame time pattern can be repeated during multiple time periods.

During the first pattern employed during the first time period 701 a ofthe frame structure of the first protocol 701, there are five framesduring which communication is active, and four frame-time-periods ofinactivity. The first radio module 720 a is active during each of thosefive frames, and the first radio module 720 a is inactive during thosefour frame-time-periods of inactivity. During each frame-time-period ofthose four frame-time-periods of inactivity in which the first radiomodule 720 a is inactive, only one of the second radio module 720 a andthe third radio module 720 c is active at a time.

During the second pattern employed during the second time period 701 bof the frame structure of the first protocol 701, there are three framesduring which communication is active, and six frame-time-periods ofinactivity. The first radio module 720 a is active during each of thosethree frames, and the first radio module 720 a is inactive during thosesix frame-time-periods of inactivity. During each frame-time-period ofthose six frame-time-periods of inactivity in which the first radiomodule 720 a is inactive, only one of the second radio module 720 a andthe third radio module 720 c is active at a time.

Some arbitration operation can be employed to ensure that only one ofthe second radio module 720 a and the third radio module 720 c is activeat a time during which the first radio module 720 a is inactive.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a method 800 for operatingco-located radio modules within a communication device. The method 800begins by supporting first communication in accordance with a firstprotocol using a first radio module, as shown in a block 810. The method800 continues by supporting second communication in accordance with asecond protocol using a second radio module, as shown in a block 820.

Based on a frame structure of the first protocol, the method 800continues by entering the first radio module into and exiting the firstradio module from a first power savings mode such that the first radiomodule is active when exited from the first power savings mode, as shownin a block 830. The method 800 continues by exiting the second radiomodule from a second power savings mode when the first radio moduleenters the first power savings mode, as shown in a block 840.

The method 800 continues by entering the second radio module into thesecond power savings mode when the first radio module exits from thefirst power savings mode such that the second radio module is activewhen exited from the second power savings mode, as shown in a block 850.The method 800 continues by performing arbitration to deny or authorizetransmitting access to the first radio module and the second radiomodule, as shown in a block 860.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may also perform monitoring of theframe structure of the first protocol. Then, based on a period ofinactivity as determined by monitoring frame structure of the firstprotocol, in an alternative embodiment, the method 800 can operate byentering the first radio module into the first power savings mode.

Additional communications (e.g., a third communication) can be supportedin accordance with a third protocol using a third radio module. Inaddition, additional communication can be supported in accordance with afourth protocol using a fourth radio module.

Some examples of the various protocols that can be supported include aWiMAX protocol, a WLAN protocol that is compatible with at least oneIEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer) 802.11 protocol,and a Bluetooth protocol. Clearly, additional or different protocols mayalternatively be employed in any embodiment and/or equivalentembodiments of multiple operating co-located radio modules within acommunication device without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment 900 of CTS2SELF operation amongmultiple radio modules. This embodiment 900 shows the reservation of ashared communication medium (e.g., shared by multiple, co-located radiomodules within a communication device) so that it is available for onlyone of the radio modules in the communication device. For example, whena given radio module sends a clear to send (CTS) packets/framesaddressed to itself (CTS2SELF frame), then the shared communicationmedium is indicated as being busy to that particular radio module.

Considering an embodiment in which one of the radio modules is aWiFi/WLAN radio module and another of the radio modules is a WiMAX radiomodule, the IEEE 802.11 standard allows a WLAN communication device(e.g., a device with a WiFi/WLAN radio module) to send CTS packetsaddressed to itself (CTS2SELF). These packets specify the duration fieldthat is used by all WLAN nodes to update their network allocation vector(NAV) used in virtual carrier sense (CS) mechanism. If a collocatedWiFi/WLAN radio module sends CTS2SELF packet addressed to itself justbefore a WiMAX activity slot with duration field set to be greater orequal to the duration of the upcoming WiMAX transaction, then all WLANtraffic would be inhibited during WiMAX activity.

Clearly, this is a heavy handed approach, in that, it prevents thetransmission of all WiFi/WLAN traffic including beacons from anyWiFi/WLAN capable-device. It does not require WiFi/WLAN AP to do anyspecial queuing of the WiFi/WLAN packets and is compatible with any APimplementation. This approach can also be used to delay beacon andmulticast packet transmission until after collocated WiMAX devicetransaction.

The drawback of this scheme is that the use of NAV to protect BTactivity also denies medium to all WiFi/WLAN nodes. In a congestedWiFi/WLAN network just a few collocated WLAN/WiMAX devices employingthis method would bring WiFi/WLAN to almost complete stop.

It is also noted that the power savings operation of co-located radiomodules within a communication device (e.g., as described in otherembodiments herein) could also be employed in combination with CTS2SELFoperation of those same co-located radio modules. If desired, based oncertain conditions, the communication device could switch back and forthbetween the two operational modes. For example, as mentioned above, theuse of the CTS2SELF operational mode could bring a congested network toalmost complete stop. Congestion could be one condition that coulddirect the communication device to switch between the two operationalmodes (e.g., operate in accordance with the power savings operationalmode when network is congested and operate in accordance with theCTS2SELF operational mode when network is not congested).

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment 1000 of CTS2SELF operationamong multiple radio modules. This diagram shows how the use of aCTS2SELF operational scheme can be employed to protect communication viaa WiMAX communication link.

A WiMAX radio module 1020 a informs the WiFi/WLAN radio module 1020 bthat there is an upcoming WiMAX data transfer at time t that will haveduration of D. The WiFi/WLAN radio module 1020 b may be informed thatthe the duration of the upcoming WiMAX traffic will be 5 milli-secondsin duration (e.g., D=5 ms).

The WiFi/WLAN radio module 1020 b then prepares the CTS2SELF frame withthe duration set to 5 ms and transmits. A successful transmission ofCTS2SELF frame prevents any WiFi/WLAN activity for 5 ms, enough for theWMAX radio module 1020 a to complete the transaction. The communicationmedium becomes free once the WiMAX activity is over and WiFi/WLANdevices can then use the medium until the next WiMAX slot (approximately5 ms later). Then the entire cycle may be repeated as needed or desiredin a particular application.

It has to be noted that as the communication medium access is notdeterministic, then the transmission of CTS2SELF cannot itself beguaranteed. The protection given by CTS2SELF scheme will be statistical,in that, it depends upon the number of other WiFi/WLAN devices beingpresent in the vicinity.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a method 1100 foroperating co-located radio modules within a communication device. Asshown in a block 1110, the method 1100 begins by assessing congestion ofa wireless network. This assesses congestion of the wireless network canbe compared to a threshold (e.g., which can be predetermined oradaptively determined).

When the congestion is above this threshold as determined in a decisionblock 1120, then the method 1100 operates by employing a power savingsoperation of co-located radio modules, as shown in a block 1130.

When the congestion is below this threshold as determined in thedecision block 1120, then the method 1100 operates by employing aCTS2SELF operation of co-located radio modules, as shown in a block1140.

Thereafter, the method 1100 can continue by re-assessing the congestionof the wireless network (e.g., by repeating the operation of the block1110). The threshold employed to determine whether or not the wirelessnetwork s congested or not can be different than the threshold usedbefore.

This method 1100 illustrates one possible embodiment in which both apower savings operational mode and a CTS2SELF operational mode can beemployed within a single communication device and/or a singlecommunication system.

It is noted that the various modules (e.g., radio modules, arbiters,baseband processing modules, processing modules, etc.) described hereinmay be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices.Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller,digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The operational instructions may be stored in a memory.The memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.It is also noted that when the processing module implements one or moreof its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the correspondingoperational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising thestate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry. In such an embodiment, a memory stores, and a processingmodule coupled thereto executes, operational instructions correspondingto at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated and/ordescribed herein.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention.

One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functionalbuilding blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and componentsherein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components,application specific integrated circuits, processors executingappropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity andunderstanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to oneof average skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a first radio module implemented to support first communications in accordance with a first protocol having a first frame structure; and a second radio module implemented to support second communications in accordance with a second protocol having a second frame structure; and wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module selectively operative to enter into a power savings mode in which at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module inoperable to receive communications from at least one additional apparatus; and based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module operable to receive communications from the at least one additional apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module selectively operative to enter into the power savings mode in which at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module inoperable to transmit communications to the at least one additional apparatus; and based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module operable to transmit communications to the at least one additional apparatus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which the at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module operable to poll the at least one additional apparatus for at least one frame buffered within the at least one additional apparatus.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, at least one of the first radio module and the second radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval in accordance with a frame by frame basis schedule.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a shared communication medium implemented to effectuate wireless communications for both the first radio module and the second radio module; and wherein: the first protocol being a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) protocol; and the second protocol being a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) protocol that is compatible with at least one IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer) 802.11 protocol or a Bluetooth protocol.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the apparatus being a wireless communication device; and the at least one additional apparatus being a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) AP (Access Point).
 7. An apparatus, comprising: at least one radio module implemented to support first communications in accordance with a first protocol having a first frame structure and second communications in accordance with a second protocol having a second frame structure; and wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, the at least one radio module selectively operative to enter into a power savings mode in which the at least one radio module inoperable to receive communications from at least one additional apparatus; and based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, the at least one radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which the at least one radio module operable to receive communications from the at least one additional apparatus.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: at least one radio module including a first radio module implemented to support first communications in accordance with the first protocol having the first frame structure and a second radio module implemented to support second communications in accordance with the second protocol having the second frame structure.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, the at least one radio module selectively operative to enter into the power savings mode in which the at least one radio module inoperable to transmit communications to the at least one additional apparatus; and based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, the at least one radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which the at least one radio module operable to transmit communications to the at least one additional apparatus.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, the at least one radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which the at least one radio module operable to poll the at least one additional apparatus for at least one frame buffered within the at least one additional apparatus.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, the at least one radio module selectively operative to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval in accordance with a frame by frame basis schedule.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the at least one radio module including a first radio module and a second radio module; and further comprising: a shared communication medium implemented to effectuate wireless communications for both the first radio module and the second radio module.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the first protocol being a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) protocol; and the second protocol being a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) protocol that is compatible with at least one IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer) 802.11 protocol or a Bluetooth protocol.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the apparatus being a wireless communication device; and the at least one additional apparatus being a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) AP (Access Point).
 15. A method for operating a wireless communication device, the method comprising: operating at least one radio module for supporting first communications in accordance with a first protocol having a first frame structure and second communications in accordance with a second protocol having a second frame structure; based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, operating the at least one radio module selectively to enter into a power savings mode in which the at least one radio module inoperable to receive communications from at least one additional wireless communication device; and based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, operating the at least one radio module selectively to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which the at least one radio module operable to receive communications from the at least one additional wireless communication device.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: at least one radio module including a first radio module implemented to support first communications in accordance with the first protocol having the first frame structure and a second radio module implemented to support second communications in accordance with the second protocol having the second frame structure.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, operating the at least one radio module selectively to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval associated with at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure in which the at least one radio module operable to poll the at least one additional apparatus for at least one frame buffered within the at least one additional apparatus.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein: based on at least one of the first frame structure and the second frame structure, operating the at least one radio module selectively to exit from the power savings mode during at least one selected time interval in accordance with a frame by frame basis schedule.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein: the at least one radio module including a first radio module and a second radio module; and further comprising: operating a shared communication medium to effectuate wireless communications for both the first radio module and the second radio module.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein: the at least one additional wireless communication device being a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) AP (Access Point). 